Newly Available DataSphere Platform Enables Enterprises to Leverage New and Existing Storage to Boost Virtualization Efficiency and Overcome the Costs of Storage Silos Through Data Virtualization

The Primary Data DataSphere platform expands the Storage-Policy Based Management (SPBM) and VM-aware storage features of VMware vSphere across heterogeneous storage environments

DataSphere serves as a certified universal VASA provider for VMware Virtual Volumes, enabling both existing and new storage resources to be fully Virtual Volumes capable

DataSphere enhances VMware SPBM to include more granular options for data placement and movement, as well as automation that aligns the right data to the right storage at the right time

LAS VEGAS – Aug. 29, 2016 [VMworld Booth 2123] – Primary Data today revealed that its newly available DataSphere platform is complementary to the Storage-Policy Based Management (SPBM) and VM-aware storage features of VMware vSphere®. DataSphere is a data orchestration platform that enables the intelligent placement of data across enterprises’ entire pool of existing and new storage resources through data virtualization. This breakthrough data mobility across file, block and object storage types, coupled with policy-driven automation, reduces storage overprovisioning costs by up to 50 percent while seamlessly integrating into VMware vCenter™.

“DataSphere orchestrates data across file, block and object protocols for the very first time,” said Lance Smith, Primary Data CEO. “Unifying data across different storage types overcomes storage silos and aligns resources with changing business needs. By automatically moving the right data to the right storage at the right time, DataSphere expands the efficiency of VMware’s powerful SPBM features across enterprises’ diverse storage resources.”

Across in-server flash to the cloud, DataSphere automates the placement of virtual disks through IT-defined objectives set by application managers. Virtual disk performance, protection, and availability policies are maintained automatically to ensure alignment of business requirements and storage resources. DataSphere intelligently determines which storage system can actually meet application needs and then automatically moves data as necessary, without any impact to live I/O processes. This ensures enterprises meet VM requirements efficiently, using the full capabilities of their existing storage investments.

DataSphere is complementary to VMware Storage Policy Based Management which provides dynamic control of storage service levels for individual Virtual Machines (VMs) and VMDKs. By separating the data path from the control path, the DataSphere platform unites data management across a storage independent, global dataspace that spans different storage types and access protocols. Integrated Data Analytics, combined with Smart Data Mobility, eliminates the need to excessively overprovision storage, while ensuring that VMs meet required Service Levels.

The Primary Data DataSphere platform also leverages vSphere Storage APIs for Storage Awareness to deliver a VMware-certified universal VASA provider, enabling both existing and new storage resources – from server-side flash to NAS and cloud storage – to be presented as a single, easy-to-manage, VMware-certified Virtual Volume datastore. Regardless of storage vendor management, protocol type, or the number of systems added to the DataSphere, DataSphere allows a single VVol to be presented to VMware vSphere, overcoming storage silos and greatly simplifying manageability.

“Primary Data’s DataSphere is an innovative example of how VMware partners are helping customers reallocate time traditionally spent managing infrastructure to adding real business value from storage assets,” said Lee Caswell, vice president, Storage and Availability Products, VMware. “Our complementary technologies make it possible for our mutual customers to seamlessly manage more complex storage environments with common management.”

“IT teams at companies even just a few years old can manage dozens of different systems with different capabilities, creating a lot of complexity and cost,” said George Crump, Lead Analyst, StorageSwitzerland.com. “DataSphere enables enterprises to modernize their infrastructure and overcome storage silos with a software-defined solution that puts storage systems to work serving the data that aligns best with the capabilities of each system. This helps overcome the expense of overprovisioning by optimizing storage efficiency, and also makes it easier to add new solutions like VMware SPBM and Virtual Volumes across existing storage resources.”

Product Availability

The DataSphere platform is now available from Primary Data and its reseller partners. Enterprises interested in evaluations can contact sales@primarydata.com to arrange a complimentary consultation and software trial. VMworld 2016 U.S. attendees can see DataSphere in action at booth 2123 from August 28 – September 1, 2016.

About Primary Data

Primary Data transforms datacenter architectures by orchestrating the right data to the right place at the right time. Through data virtualization, the Primary Data DataSphere platform creates a global dataspace across direct-attached, network-attached, private and public cloud storage to deliver unprecedented manageability, performance, and efficiency. The storage-agnostic DataSphere platform features an intelligent Objective engine that automatically moves data across file, block, and object storage to meet evolving application requirements in real time. Visit us at www.primarydata.com or follow us on Twitter at @Primary_Data.